Rory McIlroy left wanting Major win after getting agonizingly close in 2024 - "I am getting to the point where I feel like I deserve something"

Rory McIlroy's trajectory at the Major championships in 2024 has only been going upwards. After a T22 finish at the Masters, he finished T12 at the PGA Championship and then came agonizingly close to a win at the US Open, where he finished second.

McIlroy settled for second best after losing to Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke during the final round. After taking a short break, he is back to play the fourth and final Major of the year. He is still in search for his first Major championship win in a decade, and feels like now is the time he deserves it.

Speaking about it ahead of the 2024 Open Championship, Rory McIlroy said via the Guardian:

“I did say this to my team a couple of days afterwards. I have always said I don’t deserve anything from golf but after St Andrews, LA Country Club, Pinehurst I am finally getting to the point where I feel like I deserve something."

He went on to add that he is now in a position to earn a win, and has worked hard towards getting a favorable result. He said:

“That doesn’t mean to say I’ll get it. I always felt if you say you deserve something, it reeks of entitlement. Nobody is entitled to anything in this game or life in general. You have to earn everything. But I feel like I am in a great position to go and earn it.”

McIlroy will tee it up at the 2024 Open Championship, which will take place from July 18-21 at the Royal Troon Golf Course.

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Rory McIlroy opens up about his loss at the 2024 US Open, talks about Rafael Nadal and Michael Jordan's support

Rory McIlroy's loss at the 2024 US Open was a heartbreaking one. The win slipped out of his hands after a missed putt on the 18th hole. McIlroy, distraught after the defeat, walked away without a word to the media or his competitors.

Ahead of the Open Championship, Rory McIlroy spoke about how Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal were two the first ones to reach out to him. He said via the Guardian:

“Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan. Two of the most unbelievable competitors that have ever been in sport. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th but both of them got in touch very, very quickly. They just told me to keep going. MJ reminded me of how many game-winning shots he missed. Really nice.”

Rory McIlroy will tee it off alongside the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele at the Open. The prize purse for this year's tournament will be a record breaking $17 million.